lest_04-07-2016

2016 BEST OF THE FOX READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE KENDALL COUNTY BUSINESSES Voting now open at KendallCountyNow.com

OSW EGO LEDGER A lesson in local history THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016 • 75 ¢ • KendallCountyNow.com

Third-graders visit Little White School Museum, downtown Oswego / 9

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

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OSW EGO LEDGER KendallCountyNow.com OFFICE 109 W. Veterans Parkway (U.S. Route 34), second floor Yorkville, IL 60560 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 630-553-7034

NEWSROOM 630-553-7034 Fax: 630-553-7085 News@KendallCountyNow.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 866-445-6258 Circulation@KendallCountyNow.com 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday SUBSCRIPTIONS 866-445-6258 CLASSIFIED SALES 877-264-CLAS (2527) Fax: 815-477-8898 classified@shawsuburban.com LEGAL NOTICES 866-264-2527 PublicNotice@KendallCountyNow.com RETAIL ADVERTISING 630-553-7034 OBITUARIES 877-264-2527 Obits@KendallCountyNow.com Publisher Robert Wall 815-280-4102 rwall@shawmedia.com Editor John Etheredge 630-553-7034 jetheredge@shawmedia.com Advertising Director Steve Vanisko 815-280-4103 svanisko@shawmedia.com

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address forms to The Oswego Ledger, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

Effective Feb. 4, the Oswego Ledger is the successor newspaper to the Ledger-Sentinel, as contemplated by 715 ILCS 5/5 (e), which was a consolidation of the Oswego Ledger and the Fox Valley Sentinel, published every Thursday in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County

by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Oswego, Illinois, 60543.

Subscription rates: One year, $28 in Kendall County; $36 elsewhere in Illinois and $47 outside Illinois The Oswego Ledger and KendallCountyNow.com are a division of Shaw Media.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2016

County, mayors ‘unequivocally’ back Metra studies Leaders urge more data gathering for rail line proposal

By JOHN ETHEREDGE

jetheredge@shawmedia.com The chairman of the Kendall County Board and the mayors of four municipalities have sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, stating their strong support for the completion of initial environmental and engineering studies for the proposed extension of Metra commuter rail service into the county from downtown Aurora.

Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley told the village board last week he had signed the letter along with John Shaw, county board chairman, Oswego Village President Gail Johnson, Yorkville Mayor Gary Golinski, Plano Mayor Robert Hausler and Sandwich Mayor Rick Olson.

Brolley noted that he and the other leaders sent the letter to Hultgren on March 25 with the endorsement of their respective boards and city councils.

Hultgren organized a stakeholder meeting which was held March 7 in Yorkville to discuss the Metra extension. County and municipal officials attended the session, along with Metra Board Chairman Martin Oberman and former State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego.

During the meeting, Oberman – citing Metra’s current financial challenges and existing infrastructure needs – suggested county and municipal officials might want to consider asking that federal funds currently earmarked for further Kendall County Metra service studies be re-allocated to other local transportation improvement projects.

But in their letter to Hultgren, the local leaders note that bringing commuter rail service to Kendall County along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway’s mainline tracks remains “a top priority for the fastest growing county in Illinois and one of the fastest growing regions in the country.”

The letter also notes that Congress previously allocated $7.5 million to pay for the additional studies of a service extension based on preliminary studies conducted in 2001 and 2002.

Those prior studies determined a service extension from Aurora into the county would be feasible.

The letter continues, “After discussions with our boards, we unequivocally remain steadfast in our decision to finish these studies.

“Completion of these studies will allow us to draw valid conclusions about the ultimate buildout of the project based on sound data. We believe that the studies should be completed to their full scope, including charge orders, in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the project costs and construction feasibility.”

CIVIC MEETINGS • Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

ON THE COVER Ted Clauser (right) talks about Oswego history to third-graders from Grande Park Elementary School in Plainfield outside the Little White School Museum in Oswego last Friday.

See another photo on page 9.

Photo by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

WEEK OF APRIL 11-15 Monday, 6 p.m.: Fox Valley Park District Board, Prisco Community Center, Aurora.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego ECO Commission, Oswego Village Hall.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Kendall County Board Planning Building and Zoning Committee, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Fire Protection District Board, Station One, Oswego.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village Board, Montgomery Village Hall.

Monday, 7 p.m.: School District 308 Board, Oswego East High School Community Room.

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego Township Board, Town Hall, Oswego.

Tuesday, 6:55 p.m.: Oswego Township Plan Commission, Town Hall, Oswego.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Township Board Annual Meeting, Town Hall, Oswego.

Wednesday, 11 a.m.: Montgomery Police Pension Board, Montgomery Police Station.

Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.: Kendall County Public Building Commission, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m.: Oswego Public Library District Board Technology Committee, Oswego Campus Library.

Hastert’s medical files to get review SHAW MEDIA A judge overseeing Dennis Hastert’s hush-money case has appointed a doctor to review the former U.S. House Speaker’s medical records, the Associated Press reported late last week.

U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin said in a filing March 31 that Northwestern University Dr. Robert S. Golden would conduct the review, the AP reports.

The evaluation was ordered last month after Hastert’s sentencing was delayed because his lawyers told the AP that he had nearly died and remained in poor Dennis health. Hastert is now Hastert scheduled to be sentenced April 27.

Durkin’s filing says Golden’s practice is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and that he is board certified in internal medicine.

He also is an assistant professor at Northwestern’s medical school.

In last month’s order, Judge Durkin said he wanted a doctor to “provide an independent report to the court on the defendant’s medical condition.”

BRIEF Blood drive in honor of Tia Carr set at Oswego High School

The American Red Cross is partnering with School District 308 and friends and family of 20-year-old Tia Carr in inviting the community to give blood in Carr’s honor from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Oswego High School.

To make an appointment to donate, download the Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 0404835 or call 1-800-Red Cross.

Carr, a local resident, was diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) when she was 5 years-old.

She was also diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye) when was 17 months old.

Carr’s body lacks immunoglobin to fight infection, so she receives blood transfusions every eight weeks to help build her immune system, and allow her to live as normal and healthy a life as possible.

– Oswego Ledger

DISTRICT 308

Pending board vote, John Sparlin to lead after Wendt leaves

Proposed employment contract online A copy of School District 308’s proposed two-year employment contract with Dr. John Sparlin as school district superintendent can be viewed on the district’s website at SD308.org.

Highlights from the contract

SHAW MEDIA

• Base salary from July 1 to June 30, 2017: $200,000 • Base salary from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018: $205,000 • The district will pay all contributions on Sparlin’s behalf to the Illinois Teacher Retirement System • The district will contribute $5,000 annually for two years into a tax-sheltered annuity selected by Sparlin • Vacation days exclusive of legal holidays and weekends per year: 25 • Sick leave days per year: 15, including three which can be used as personal leave days • Travel expenses: $416.66 per month for district-related travel and mileage expenses • The district will pay 100 percent of the cost for vision insurance and 80 percent of the cost of the premium for medical and dental insurance for Sparlin and members of his immediate family resources, student services and communications, and both the assistant superintendent for business services and operations and the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning report to him.

“Due to his experience at [District] 308, the board is confident that Dr. Sparlin is the right person to take our district to the next level and ensure it continues moving in the direction set by the board,” said Board of Education President Matt Bauman.

“I am honored to have been chosen

to lead and serve School District 308 as the next superintendent,” Sparlin said.

“If you asked me four years ago where I would see myself five years down the road, I would’ve said exactly where I am today. I couldn’t be any more pleased to have been chosen for this high honor.”

In his new role, Sparlin will manage the district’s day-to-day operations overseeing the state’s seventh largest school district, with 22 schools and more than 1,800 staff members serving more than 18,000 students.

“I am pleased we are able to promote

Boulder Hill man facing child pornography charges Bond was set at $100K after his arrest Monday

dall, 63, of the 0-10 block of Pomeroy Road, Boulder Hill, on 12 counts of possession of child pornography while executing a search warrant at his residence April 4.

According to the sheriff’s ofSHAW MEDIA fice, four of the charges filed by the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Kendall County State’s Attorney’s detectives arrested Thomas Ran- Office against Randall are Class X

felonies, two are Class 1 felonies, five are Class 2 felonies and one is a Class 3 felony.

Randall’s arrest stems from an investigation that began Jan. 26 when the sheriff’s office received information concerning a person believed to possess child pornography.

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Sheriff’s detectives conducted a criminal investigation, assisted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security. Randall was taken into custody without incident and was being held Tuesday at the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville in lieu of bond, which was set at $100,000.

Thomas Randall

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The School District 308 Board of Education is expected to promote Dr. John Sparlin, associate superintendent for administrative services, to the district’s top administrative role as superintendent beginning July 1.

The proposed contract for Sparlin has been posted on the district’s website (sd308. org) and is pending the Board of Education’s approval at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April Dr. John 11, at Oswego East High Sparlin School.

Sparlin joined the district in 2012 as the executive director for administrative services. He was promoted to assistant superintendent for administrative services in 2013. In this role, Sparlin oversaw the departments of human resources, student services, food service, operations, technology and transportation.

In his current role as associate superintendent for administrative services, Sparlin oversees the daily operations of the district. He also continues to supervise the departments of human

one of our own talents to fill the district’s top position,” Bauman said. “I know that Dr. Sparlin will serve School District 308 well as its Superintendent of Schools. He has demonstrated that he has what it takes to help District 308 and all of its students succeed.”

During his 23 years of working in education, Sparlin has served multiple school districts in Illinois.

Sparlin began his career in the Valley View School District 365U as a teacher and coach. He then served in the Glenbard School District 87 as a teacher and coach before beginning his administrative career as dean of students. Prior to coming to District 308, Sparlin served as assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Bolingbrook High School; principal of Humphrey Middle School; principal of Romeoville High School; and as executive director of human resources for the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201.

Sparlin earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in education from Benedictine University. He also received his certificate of advanced study, Type 75 certification, and a doctorate of education administration in educational leadership and supervision from Lewis University.

Sparlin will replace current Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt, who is leaving District 308 to become superintendent of the Fayetteville Public Schools in Fayetteville, Arkansas, beginning July 1.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

New school superintendent chosen

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

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OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Help us honor the Best of the Fox businesses Have you voted yet in the 2016 Best of the Fox – Record Newspapers contest?

For the first time ever we’re asking our readers to vote for their favorite businesses here in Kendall County. Voting officially opened on our website at KendallCountyNow.com last Friday, April 1, and will continue through April 30.

Voting in the contest is easy and everyone is invited to vote once every day in each of the contest categories.

Since the ballots are writein style, you can explain exactly why you believe a particular business should be honored. To vote now, go to: kendallcountynow.com/bofrecord.

We will announce the winners in a

special section to be included in this newspaper June 23. The winning businesses will also be invited to attend a special after-hours style reception June 22.

We want to know your favorite local restaurant, store, nightspot, childcare facility, auto repair shop and so much more. The Best of the Fox contest gives our readers a chance to express their opinions on the many great businesses

that have helped make Kendall County a special place to live, work and raise a family. Please take the opportunity to cast your ballots and express your opinions.

We’re looking forward to tabulating your ballots and then recognizing the winners in our special section and at the reception in June.

Help us honor the Best of the Fox here in Kendall County.

Prairie left early Illinois settlers, travelers in awe Northern Illinois is beginning to edge its way into true spring these days, which means the hoped-for April showers will persuade all those May flowers to begin peeking out of the ground. Of course, the early spring flowers, hardy fellows that they are, have already been growing in the increasingly strong sunlight for several weeks now – especially with the unseasonably REFLECTIONS warm weather of the past few months.

Roger When the first Matile hardy pioneers arrived on the prairies on both sides of the Fox River from Waubonsie Creek to the north south to the AuSable, they found upland prairies dotted with groves of hardwoods that sometimes merged with the belts of trees growing along the creeks that drained the area in what would one day become Kendall County.

Timber, scarce as it was, providing building materials for everything from homes, farm buildings and fences, was the settlers’ old and familiar friend.

What was new to them, and sometimes not a little intimidating, was all that prairie land stretching sometimes to the horizon like an unbroken ocean.

Virtually everyone who left an account of their first few years on the Illinois prairie provided a list of superlatives. And it’s fortunate that some of those accounts survive to let us glimpse what those early travelers and settlers found.

The fascinating English author, abolitionist and sociologist Harriet Martineau visited northern Illinois in 1836, and left a vivid record of the beauty of the Illinois prairie she saw near Joliet. She told of the beauty of the American primroses and the “... difficulty in distinguishing distances on the prairie.

The feeling is quite bewildering. A man walking near looked like a Goliath a mile off.”

Her dinner one evening consisted of tea, bread, potatoes and wild strawberries, of which a whole pail-full had been gathered around the house in which she was staying in only an hour’s time. She remarked about the beauty of the blue spiderwort in full bloom, and of prairies being “perfectly level – a treeless expanse with groves like islands in the distance, and a line of wood on the verge.”

As the season progressed, the grasses and broadleafed plants comprising the prairie ecology dried, providing plenty of fuel for autumn and spring

Old maps of Kendall County show that the timber on the western edge of the Fox River and the creeks in the county was much less dense that on the eastern edge, the trees on the west side thinned by the annual fires driven by those westerlies.

A number of early Kendall County settlers left accounts of what Kendall County looked like when they arrived, just before settlement changed the prairies forever. Mary Elizabeth Jeneson, a member of Oswego’s Nineteenth Century Club, read a paper to the club in 1906, in which she stated: “No words of mine can convey to you the vastness, the grandeur and beauty of the natural prairie in 1850 when I first came to Oswego. The music of the big frogs down in the slough and the drumming of prairie chickens John Etheredge - jetheredge@shawmedia.com must have been heard to be appreciated. The Fox The sun rises over a prairie under restoration just south River was pretty then. Its banks furnished attracof Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove campus. tions for those who liked a stroll – a sort of Lovers’ Early Kendall County settlers wrote in superlatives about Lane, in fact.”

In 1914, Avery N. Beebe, an early Kendall County the beauty of the vast prairies they saw upon their arrival resident and elected official, offered his recollections in the mid-19th century. of how the area appeared to county pioneers: “This prairie fires. In October 1835, Methodist circuit rider little chosen spot of God’s heritage, selected by the sturdy old pioneers of Kendall County, has been Alfred Brunsen wrote of northern Illinois prairie fires, noting that he had traveled by prairie fire light richly blessed with all the advantages that kind nature ever bestows: with its clear silvery streams, the at night: “By the light of this fire we could read fine Blackberry, the Big Rock, the Little Rock, the Aux print for ½ a mile or more. And the light reflected Sable, the Waubonsia, the Rob Roy, the Clark, the from the cloud of smoke enlightened our road for Hollenback, and the Morgan, that pour their pure miles after the blaze of the fire was out of sight.” crystal liquids into the placid Fox and Illinois RivGeorge Hollenback, one of the first two white ers. All of these were densely skirted with abundant children born in Kendall County (his twin sister timbers for the use of the early settlers to construct Amelia was the other), gave a description of prairie the primitive log cabin, supply it with fuel, and fires recalled from his childhood. His memory of establish the forest home in the wilds of the West; as them was both exciting and alarming. He recalled seeing, as a child, as many as 50 fires burning at one it was then called.”

Change has been ongoing in northern Illinois in time within sight of the Hollenback homestead near modern Newark in southern Kendall County, reflect- general and Kendall County in particular since the first pioneers’ wagons pulled up along the banks of ing their light in the clouds on autumn evenings. the Fox River in 1828. During the last 50 years, that “Early settlers protected themselves by ploughchange accelerated as the county’s farmland – which ing [sic] wide and numerous furrows around their itself replaced the stunning prairies described by the fields and their stockyards,” wrote Hollenback. pioneers – has disappeared in job lots, with housing Backfires were often started to protect houses developments and shopping centers crowding out and property as well as plowing furrows to creak more and more open land. But on the positive side firebreaks. The band of blackened prairie grass of the ledger, organized, serious efforts to preserve burned in the backfire usually stopped the on-rushthe region’s prairie past and the region’s remaining ing prairie fire dead in its tracks.

Prairie fires usually burned along the lines of the natural areas are continuing to grow. prevailing winds on the Illinois prairie. That meant • Looking for more local history? Visit http:// prairie fires most often came out of the west, and historyonthefox.wordpress.com. traveled eastward on the front of westerly winds.

FORUM To the Editor: “No taxation without representation.”

That was the cry in the 1750s, some 266 years ago, and was responsible for the Colonists’ overthrowing the yoke of oppression with no voice in government.

Sound familiar?

Maybe it’s time for another movement.

Today, the majority of Americans want: a balanced budget; immigration and tax reform; term limits; a gun and environmental policy; a government that works. You see any changes/movement in that direction in the last 10 years?

All the Founding Fathers – Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Adams – and the original 13 states did not always agree and get along on policies, yet they were able to come together and forge the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for the public good. Today we can’t even get politicians to agree to visit with a Supreme Court nominee – DOA. Time Magazine reports, and I think it’s ironic, that in Madison’s era, “The key to good government was to elect virtuous and ethical political leaders capable of transcending narrow self-interest and that no one faction should gain undue influence and subvert the public good.”

(That includes lobbyists.) Do you know any politician that fits that definition? In fact, hold that definition up to any of our political leaders today, state or federal.

Who’s in charge? Certainly not the electorate. Nobody is held responsible or accountable. Republican/Democrat, what a great job. They don’t have to make any decisions, just blame the other party and hold all issues hostage. What a game plan.

Maybe it’s time for a new movement. A walk on Washington and/or Springfield.

How do we get their attention?

No taxation without representation.

colleges. It makes me angry to see my tuition money spent on frivolous buildings created for the sake of prestige. I won’t argue that waste doesn’t exist in state colleges, as it undoubtedly does.

That said, refusing to release MAP grants is a petty decision in this student’s eyes. It seems to me that Gov. Rauner is choosing this radical course of action to take thousands of college students hostage. This is nothing but his attempt to force the state assembly to submit to his union reforms and budget cuts. Promises were made to students in need of help. These promises are now being pulled out from underneath our feet.

Gov. Rauner is playing a dangerous game, and our lives are the pieces on his political chess board. He’s locked in a staredown with the Democrats of the assembly and counting on them blinking first. He needs to be reminded that we are more than just numbers on a piece of paper. He’s playing with the lives and dreams of thousands of students.

Assuredly, I’m equally upset with Speaker Madigan. Compromise is essential to all aspects of life, and politics is no exception.

However, I urge Gov. Rauner to be the bigger man. Releasing the funding wouldn’t mean he “lost” his confrontation with the Democrats. Far from it. In my eyes, he walks away as the bigger man, having put the interests of his constituents over this petty political squabble.

Jared Connors Oswego

Wasting tax dollars

To the Editor: Taxpayers of Oswego. Do you wonder why your taxes are so high?

Do you wonder why Kendall County is 29th in the nation in taxes? Do you wonder why we pay more than surrounding areas for gasoline? You need to look no further Jim Kock than the people you elect to govern our Yorkville community. I found out March 23 when I A dangerous game attended the Oswego Public Library District To the Editor: Board meeting.

I’m currently in the midst of completing Don’t get me wrong, I love our library. But my undergraduate degree. I work hard, stay isn’t it incumbent on the board to make focused, and try to make the most of my decisions which use our taxpayer money education. One day, I dream of attending effectively? Your elected library board law school. God-willing, I’ll be able to return members just spent $175,000 on a piece of to our great state after completing my useless property adjacent to the downeducation and enter the workforce. Illinois town. Why? For what purpose? is my home, and I’d never want to leave.

The Oswego Ledger reported it was for However, I’ve found it difficult in light of a parking lot. I asked the board what they the current budget crisis not to feel as if were going to do with a 3-acre parking lot the government of this state has turned its in a residential area, across a creek, and back on students. I understand frustrations too far for residents to walk to the library. with the amount of money invested in state They denied they bought it for parking. So

I asked if they had a plan for the property.

No one, absolutely no one, was willing to answer that question. Only silence from the board. It seems the library is so flush with your money they can waste it on land, take it off the property tax rolls, and yet have absolutely no idea what they will do with it.

And now they have to maintain it as well, with your tax money.

Are these the people we elected to be good stewards of our money? What an absolute waste of our money and disregard for the citizens who finance them. Do these elected officials just sit in a room and figure out how to spend your money without any plan or any value to us from their decisions? Furthermore, they do not display the slightest concern for the citizens who live in that residential area, who may not want it turned into a parking lot (or whatever new reason they will now have to concoct).

I have lived in Oswego for 60 years and I am shocked that elected officials would so foolishly spend our taxpayer money without ever informing us, without a plan to utilize the property and without first consulting with the citizens who live adjacent to the property. This was not an effective use of taxpayer money.

I also find it sad that there was no communication during board meetings on the merits of this purchase. We couldn’t find any in their previous minutes. They refused to answer our questions at that meeting; worse yet, they refused to give us a date by which they would answer us.

I believe those board members who are up for re-election should not plan on running again. It is time to elect people who are good stewards of our money. Your vote does count. The time has come for elected officials to stop using our money like a blank check.

Kathy Wass Oswego

What else is overlooked?

To the Editor: Remember playing Hide and Seek? Some kids are better hiders than they are seekers. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Department is one of them.

I requested documentation related to Sheriff Baird’s investigation into my allegation of Oswego Township Road Commissioner Gary Grosskopf. He allowed his wife to use a taxpayer funded cellphone out of state, free of charge for over a year after she quit working for Oswego Township. I asked Sheriff Baird to reopen the investigation because there were several flaws in it.

According to FOIA documents, Detective Jasnosz called Oswego Township FOIA offi-

cer Joyce Neu. He states in his summary to Sheriff Baird, “Joyce provided information that shows Gary paid all expenses for the phone (after they were incurred).”

All expenses for the phone were not reimbursed. Detective Jasnosz summarized a monthly amount due of $56.24, except those charges exclude the regulatory charge and the IL State Telecom Excise Tax. He had the bills to compare, but did not seek to verify them. There is an outstanding amount of $68.33 yet to be paid.

Detective Jasnosz reported that Grosskopf’s wife terminated use of the phone in June 2015. However, I provided Sheriff Baird of evidence that she continued to use the phone well into July 2015, for which outstanding expenses also exist.

Detective Jasnosz also found no documentation of any agreement for the continued use of the cellphone. For there to be an agreement, it must include two separate parties. How can Grosskopf have an agreement with himself as husband and himself as road commissioner?

Sheriff Baird stated he spoke with the state’s attorney and this matter is a civil one and I should ask the Oswego Township Board, as though they were aware. However, I informed Sheriff Baird on Feb. 3, 2016, during his initial investigation, that Oswego Township Board Member Bill Small was made keenly aware that Grosskopf’s wife was inappropriately using a township-funded cellphone on Jan. 25, 2016. Even Mr. Small was unaware of the situation at the time and agreed that it was wrong.

The funds Grosskopf paid for the phone were deposited into the township’s road district bank account, something he manages almost exclusively. The sheriff’s department stated that my FOIA request was denied because it contains private information. His denial states that the disclosure of that information is not required by any other provision of the Freedom of Information Act, state or federal law or court order.

All I see was that a phone call was made from Detective Jasnosz to Oswego Township’s FOIA officer. There was email correspondence that Detective Jasnosz and Sheriff Baird would have a conversation about their findings, but no documentation of it exists. There was also no documentation of any conversation between Sheriff Baird and the state’s attorney’s office. Did one even occur? It is clear information is being hidden for reasons as simple as, “just because.” What else is the Kendall County Sheriff’s Department willing to overlook?

Leah Philpot Oswego

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

Walk on Washington?

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

|LOCAL NEWS

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BRIEFS Oswego brush pickup began this week

noon the Friday before.

The village of Oswego has implemented brush collection by zones. There are two zones.

Zone A includes all properties east of the Fox River and north of Route 34 as well as those properties west of the Fox River and north of Mill Road.

Zone B includes all properties east of the Fox River and south of Route 34 as well as those properties west of the Fox River and south of Mill Road.

The village will collect brush from each zone once each month beginning in April. The last pickup will be in October just prior to the start of the leaf collection program. Collection weeks are as follows: Zone A: weeks of April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, Aug. 1, Sept. 5 and Oct. 3 Zone B: weeks of April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10 Residents should place all brush at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday morning of the designated week but no earlier than

WOW 7 CINEMA

Oswego offering extra yard waste, trash pickup next week

The village of Oswego’s solid waste hauler, Groot Industries, will collect additional household waste, yard waste and bulk items for all village residents the week of Monday, April 11, through Friday, April 15, on normal garbage pickup days.

Residents must place yard waste in 30 gallon kraft (paper) yard waste bags.

Plastic bags will not be accepted. Stickers will not be required on the paper bags next week only.

Electronics and appliances will not be collected.

Residents are asked to place all items along with their regular garbage and recycling out at the curb by 6 a.m. on their normal garbage pickup day.

Those with questions are asked to contact the public works department at 630-554-3242.

– Oswego Ledger

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Montgomery to flush water mains in village OSWEGO LEDGER The village of Montgomery Public Works Department crews will be flushing water mains in the village and unincorporated Boulder Hill subdivision during the weeks of April 11, 18, and 25.

This procedure clears sediment from the water distribution line, helps maintain water quality, and verifies proper operation of the hydrants.

Residents are encouraged to refrain from washing laundry when flushing is done in or near their neighborhood as the temporarily discolored water may cause laundry staining.

Residents should also run their cold water taps first to clean out any sediment that may enter the water lines inside the homes. Public Works crews will flush hydrants from approximately 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily according to the following schedule:

• Week of April 11: Areas east of Orchard Road to Hill Avenue (includes Parkview Estates) and north of Route 30 (Seasons Ridge) up to Ashland Avenue.

• Week of April 18: In unincorporated Boulder Hill, south of Route 30 to Circle Drive West and from Route 25 to Douglas Road; within the village of Montgomery, Lakewood Creek West, Fairfield Way and Foxmoor.

• Week of April 25: Areas west of Orchard Road to Dickson Road and from Galena Road to Jericho Road, including: Montgomery Crossings, Lakewood Creek, Blackberry Crossing, Blackberry Crossing West, Huntington Chase, Balmorea, Orchard Prairie North, and Saratoga Springs.

If you have any questions about the hydrant flushing program, or any other Public Works service, call the Public Works Department at 630-896-9241.

Sign up now for Montgomery community garage sale in May OSWEGO LEDGER The village of Montgomery has announced its Spring Community Garage Sale will take place May 19, 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each year, nearly 100 households participate, and this year promises to be even bigger.

The fee to participate will be $10 per address. Registration forms are available at the Village Hall, 200 N. River St. in Montgomery, and on the village website at ci.montgomery.il.us/index. aspx?NID=507. The registration form gives the option of participating on all three of the scheduled dates or selecting specific days to participate.

The garage sale will be advertised in local newspapers beginning on May 18. Garage sale flyers will also be created featuring a map showing all garage sale locations, plus a 15-word ad for each address describing the items for sale. Maps will be available at the Village Hall and on the village website starting May 16. The deadline to be included in the advertising is 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6.

This event is sponsored by Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission. The $10 participation fee will help support Settler’s Cottage on River Street. For more information, call Debbie Buchanan at 630-896-8080, ext. 9003.

Friday, April 8 Saturday, April 9 Sunday, April 10 (815) 246-9700

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Firm presents analysis of 70-acre site targeted for redevelopment

By ERIKA WURST

news@kendallcountynow.com

Mary Thompson

of Kane, McKenna and Associates Inc. looked into creating an approximate 70-acre TIF district to accumulate funds to help revitalize the underdeveloped portion of town.

If a TIF district is established, the property tax dollars that are collected annually throughout the district and distributed to the various taxing bodies would be maintained at the current levels. If property in the TIF district increases in assessed value because of new development and improvements, the additional property tax revenue that is generated by this new development (known as the increment) will go into the TIF fund to be used for TIF qualified costs such as public improvements.

In September, the village hired Kane, McKenna and Associates Inc. (KMA) to conduct an analysis of the Redevelopment Project Area at Main Street and Washington Street in downtown Oswego to gauge its qualifications for receiving TIF funds.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mary Thompson of KMA presented the analysis to board members. She said that of 13 qualifying factors which would make the area suitable for a TIF district, the RPA met four factors. To qualify, it had to meet only three.

For instance, the area has seen a decrease in equalized assessed value of 22 percent between 2009 and 2014, which qualifies it for TIF funds. Thompson also pointed out that 46 percent of the tax parcels contained in the RPA show signs of deterioration, another qualifying factor.

In addition, the area also contains inadequate utilities, making it impossible to build upon.

“We would not be able to have modern development with the utilities the way they stand now,” she said. TIF money would help restore the area.

Thompson noted that other quali-

Great L Great Lakes akes B Basin as in R Rail a il L Line i ne EN VI RONMEN TA L I M PAC T STATE M E N T

Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT) plans to file a request with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) seeking authority to construct and operate an approximately 278-mile rail line. According to GLBT, the proposed rail line would extend generally from La Porte, Indiana through Illinois to Milton, Wisconsin and would connect with existing Class I railroads.

The Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the proposed rail line.

To assist OEA in determining the scope of the EIS, OEA will hold nine public scoping meetings in the project area. Each meeting will begin with a 1-hour open house followed by a brief presentation by OEA and a formal public comment period during which interested parties will have the opportunity to convey oral comments. The meetings will be held at the dates, times, and locations provided below. For more information, please visit the Board-sponsored project website at www.GreatLakesBasinRailEIS.com or call Dave Navecky at 202-245-0294. Scoping comments are due by May 16, 2016.

P U B L I C S CO P I N G M E E T I N G S Monday, April 11, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Manteno Sportsmen’s Club Banquet Hall, 851 North Main Street, Manteno, IL Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Lowell Town Hall, 501 East Main Street, Lowell, IN Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., American Legion Banquet Hall, 203 South Washington Street, Wanatah, IN Thursday, April 14, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Civic Auditorium Banquet Room, 1001 Ridge Street, La Porte, IN Monday, April 18, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Craig High School Cafeteria, 401 South Randall Street, Janesville, WI Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Community Building Complex of Boone County Auditorium, 111 West First Street, Belvidere, IL Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Cherry Valley Fire Station #2 Hall, 4919 Blackhawk Road, Rockford, IL Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Rochelle Township High School Auditorium, 1401 Flagg Road, Rochelle, IL Thursday, April 21, 2016, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Seneca High School Auditorium, 3307 East Scott Street, Seneca, IL

For those unable to attend, the Board will host an online public meeting on April 27, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Central Time)

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

The Oswego Village Board moved one step closer Tuesday evening to creating the village’s first tax increment financing (TIF) district, in an attempt to revitalize an under-utilized portion of downtown.

The Redevelopment Project Area (RPA), which would benefit from TIF funds, is located primarily in Oswego’s central business district and has developed in a “piecemeal fashion and uncoordinated manner over time,” according to a village statement.

Because of the condition of the RPA, village officials have concluded that new private investment has been deterred in the area based on several issues.

Those issues include traffic coordination problems, deteriorating buildings, and the fact that the RPA consists of scattered residential properties, automotive repair shops, restaurants, large vacant commercial facilities, public facilities and manufacturing companies in the same condensed area.

Based on these facts, the village

“We would not be able to have modern development with the utilities the way they stand now.”

fying factors include the fact that the land has a “deleterious layout” and “lacks past community planning.”

KMA said there is indeed potential for viable redevelopment that could produce incremental revenue should revitalization of the RPA occur.

“Such revenue, used in combination with other village resources for redevelopment incentives or public improvements, would likely stimulate private investment and reinvestment in these sites and ultimately throughout the TIF district,” the KMA report said.

Now that the RPA has been shown to qualify as a TIF district, the wheels have been set in motion and the village of Oswego is expected to move forward with its plan to designate the area and start collecting funds.

Thompson said the base budget for the TIF will be $24 million. To address public concerns, the village has updated its website with a FAQ section regarding the TIF. The public is also asked to fill out an “interested parties” registry at Village Hall, which means they will be kept up to date on all happenings concerning the TIF district.

Businesses and residents living in the district will be mailed their communications.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego a step closer on downtown TIF

7

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

|LOCAL NEWS

8

Utilities stand in way of Route 34 widening project

By MATT SCHURY

mschury@kendallcountynow.com Work on widening and improving busy Route 34 from Orchard Road in Oswego to Route 47 in Yorkville is expected to be delayed as the Illinois Department of Transportation waits for crews to move utilities.

Work should begin in earnest after Labor Day, Sept. 5, according to Herb Jung, a construction engineer for IDOT. Jung estimates the project will take about two years to complete. Utility poles and gas lines are currently being moved along the highway but, Jung says, AT&T has not yet started moving its infrastructure, which the utility previously estimated would take three to four months to complete.

The contractor on the project, D Construction of Coal City, was the lowest bidder with a bid of $33.2 million.

Last year IDOT estimated the work would cost about $32 million.

Contractors will replace the crumbling two-lane blacktop pavement with a four-lane highway with a concrete surface with raised center medians and an adjoining multi-use path along the north side of the road. Curbs and gutters will also be installed.

Craig Reed, studies and plans proj-

Mike Solley - msolley@shawmedia.com

Contractors will replace the crumbling two-lane blacktop pavement on Route 34 from Orchard Road in Oswego to Route 47 in Yorkville with a four-lane highway with a concrete surface with raised center medians and an adjoining multi-use path along the north side of the road. Curbs and gutters will also be installed. ect engineer for IDOT, said traffic signals on Route 34 at McHugh, Countryside Parkway, Autumn Creek Boulevard, Bristol Ridge Road and O’Brien Way along the highway will also be improved as part of the project.

“Utilities are still in the process of

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relocating, most of them are rather far along and we haven’t seen AT&T at all yet,” he said. “Our contractor [D Construction] would love to start after the Fourth of July but we’re thinking it’s more like after Labor Day at this point.”

Jung said that once utility work is completed, the contractor will begin taking down the traffic lights and replace them with temporary lights.

Crews will also start storm sewer work on the project this fall. Construction on the new roadway will probably begin in early spring 2017, Jung said.

The roadway will be made of concrete pavement and will have a raised median in the center.

“It’s wide enough for bicycles and pedestrians,” Jung said. “I would guess that the contractor could get the underground work and prep the roadbed – the base, the bed of the road through the winter months and into the early spring,” he said. “I would think by mid spring, late spring 2017 we’ll see new concrete pavement going in along the north [side] of what’s there right now.”

Traffic should not be impacted much during construction, Jung said, as they build the two new westbound lanes north of the current road. Once that is finished they will transition traffic onto the newly built road. Construction crews will then tear up and rebuild the existing road to put in the eastbound lanes.

“There’s plenty of room there so we’re going to build two brand new lanes where it is open and we have the right-of-way,” he said.

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS Theft attempt Oswego police are investigating an incident in which two females left a store in the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego at 12:35 p.m. April 4 in possession of unpaid for merchandise.

Police said the pair discarded the merchandise in the parking lot after being followed by loss prevention personnel from the store.

Domestic arrest Oswego police arrested Travis Z. Shallcross, 35, of the 400 block of Main Street, Oswego, at his residence April 2 at 9:45 p.m. on charges of domestic battery, resisting a peace officer and unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence. Police said Shallcross was taken to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Arrest two at OEHS Oswego police arrested two female juveniles at Oswego East High School on charges of disorderly conduct April 1.

Police said the girls became involved in a fight which caused a disturbance in a hallway at the school.

Identity theft reported An Oswego resident filed an identity theft report with village police April 2. Police said the case involves the Internal Revenue Service.

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

Bob Stekl, assistant director at the Little White School Museum in Oswego, talks to third-graders from Grande Park School in Plainfield about Kendall County’s only Medal of Honor winner last Friday at the museum. Each spring, museum volunteers lead third-grade classes from School District 308 schools on tours of the museum and a visit to the village’s historic Main Street business district.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Amy L. Strater, 44, of the 600 block of Mansfield Way, Oswego, on Southbury Boulevard at Litchfield Way in the village April 1 at 3:15 p.m. Police said Strater was wanted on a warrant for aggravated battery to a peace officer.

9

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Third-graders from D-308 explore Oswego history

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

10

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS • Continued from page 9

credit card.

Motorist arrested Oswego police arrested Gustavo A. Alvarado, 20, of the 700 block of Bangs Street, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle on Douglas Road at Route 34 in the village April 3 at 8:55 a.m.

Police said Alvarado faces charges of driving without insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis.

Theft suspect arrested Oswego police arrested Ethan C. Caver, 26, of the 0-100 block of Amy Drive, Oswego, on a charge of retail theft at a store in the 2400 block of Route 34 in the village March 30 at 6:30 p.m. Police said Caver posted bond and was released pending a court appearance next month.

Hit-and-run crash Oswego police took a report of a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the 100 block of East Washington Street in the village April 1 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Police said damage to the vehicle was estimated at over $1,500.

Domestic arrest Oswego police arrested Laura M. Downs, 37, of the 300 block of Chicago Road in Oswego at her residence March 30 at 5:28 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery. Police said Downs was detained at the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Motorist injured A Naperville resident, Shayma Y. Patel, 35, of the 800 block of Turtle Creek Court, was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora at 5:39 p.m. April 1 after the vehicle she was driving northbound on Route 30 near Lincoln Station Drive in Oswego struck a fire hydrant, police reported. Damage to Patel’s vehicle was estimated at over $1,500, police said.

Cited in crash Oswego police ticketed Brandon Berry, 18, of the 600 block of Lincoln Station Drive, Oswego, with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash after the vehicle he was driving was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Proclamation Drive near Lincoln Station Drive on April 3. Police said Berry was not injured.

Redbox damaged An estimated $700 damage was done to a display screen on a Redbox machine at a business in the 100 block of Douglas Road in Oswego on April 3, village police reported.

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SOCCER ACADEMY Spring AcAdemy SeSSion BeginS ThurSdAy, April 14Th Age/skill level appropriate instruction (Kindergarten through 6th grade) Weekly training sessions (Thursdays) • Kindergarten - 1st Grade: 5:30-6:15 • 2nd - 3rd Grade: 6:20-7:20 • 4th - 6th Grade: 7:30-8:30 Team assignments and team t-shirt 5th team games: April 30, May 7, May 14 May 21 and June 4 (Game dates subject to change)

Medications stolen Multiple medications were stolen from inside a vehicle in the 300 block of McGrath Drive in Oswego sometime between March 27 and March 30, village police reported.

Hit-and-run investigated Oswego police are investigating a hit-andrun crash that occurred on Wolf’s Crossing Road at Route 71 in the village March 29 at 5:45 p.m. Police said an unidentified motorist hit the vehicle of a 68-year-old village resident and then drove off.

Vehicle damaged A vehicle parked in the 700 block of Millersburg Drive in Oswego was found damaged March 31, village police reported. Police said damage was estimated at $500.

Cannabis arrest Oswego police arrested Drake S. Speidel, 22, of the 4500 block of Garritano Drive, Yorkville, on Route 34 at Kendall Point Drive in the Golf ball damage village April 1 at 1:11 a.m. Police said Speidel Oswego police took a report of criminal dam- faces charges of possession of cannabis and age to a vehicle in the 900 block of Jessamine possession or drug paraphernalia.

Drive in the village April 3. Police said the rear window of the vehicle was shattered by a golf DUI arrest Oswego police arrested Wes C. Parker, 29, of ball. Damage was estimated at $250. the 200 block of Paradise Parkway, Oswego, Hits deer on Wolf’s after stopping his vehicle on Wolf’s Crossing An Oswego resident told village police April Road at Route 34 April 1 at 1:18 a.m. Police 3 that she struck a deer while driving on Wolf’s said Parker has been charged with driving Crossing Road east of Southbury Drive in the under the influence and possession of drug village at 7:55 p.m. that day. Damage to the paraphernalia. vehicle was estimated in excess of $1,500.

Hits tree Arrest two at restaurant Oswego police reported that more than Oswego police arrested two Joliet men at $1,500 in damage resulted when a motorist a restaurant in the 4500 block of Route 71 in drove off Isleview Drive in the village and the village March 29 at 3:35 p.m. Police said struck a tree. Police said the driver was not Joseph R. Sisto, 55, of the 2100 block of Sierra injured.

Drive has been charged with domestic battery.

Traffic citations Dominic Sisto, 25, also of the 2100 block of Michelle Flores, 20, of Montgomery, no valid Sierra Drive, is facing a charge of criminal damage to property. Damage as a result of the driver’s license and speeding.

Elijah, M. Ochoa, 23, of the 2000 block of incident was estimated in excess of $300.

Kentland Drive, Romeoville, failure to reduce Credit card fraud speed to avoid an accident.

Oswego police are investigating an unlawful Kenneth M. Moore, 21, of the 60th block use of a credit card incident in which $2,237 of Amesbury Road, Boulder Hill, driving on a in merchandise was charged to the victim’s suspended license and no insurance.

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KendallCountyNOW.com is the official website of the Kendall County Record. adno=0372422

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

Burglary suspect arrested Montgomery police arrested Robert Ruiz-Saltijera, 23, of the 300 block of Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, at 3:49 a.m. April 1 on a charge of burglary to a motor vehicle in the 3100 block of Manchester Drive in the village. Police said they located several items stolen from other vehicles inside Ruiz-Saltijera’s vehicle.

Domestic arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Craig Castrejon, 53, of the 20th block of Whitney Way, Boulder Hill, at 6:45 a.m. April 1 on charges of domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of a domestic battery and property damage. Police said Castrejon battered two other individuals at his residence. He was taken to Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Disorderly arrest Montgomery police arrested Jennifer Briggs, 42, of the 2700 block of Providence Drive, Montgomery, at her residence April 1 at 5:29 p.m. on a charge of disorderly conduct. Police said Briggs called 911 several times for a non-emergency situation.

Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Anna Ortiz, 28, of the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue, Aurora, at 3:52 p.m. April 2 on Parker Avenue at Pleasant Place. Police said Ortiz was wanted on an outstanding DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office warrant for driving on a suspended license.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kenneth J. Wyzkowski, 58, of the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road, Yorkville, in a campground on Van Emmon Road on April 1 on a Will County Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear in court on a traffic offense.

Boulder Hill damage Someone shattered the window on a vehicle parked in the 20th block of Circle Drive East in Boulder Hill on April 3, according to the county sheriff’s office.

DUI after hit-and-run County sheriff’s deputies and Montgomery police arrested John Frank Vos, 37, of the 800 block of Morgan Street, Yorkville, after his vehicle was involved in a hit and run crash on Route 31 and Light Road at 2:22 a.m. April 2. County sheriff’s deputies said Montgomery police stopped Vos’ vehicle at Route 31 and Webster Street in the village shortly after the crash. Police said Vos has been charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Light Road burglary Electronics items were reported stolen from a residence in the 2400 block of Light Road in Oswego on April 2, county sheriff’s deputies reported. Police said the burglary is under investigation.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Derrick Dwayne Harker, 36, of the 2800 block of Adam Avenue, Montgomery, after stopping Sherrill Road burglary his vehicle for failure to display a safety Kendall and Grundy County sheriff’s depu- sticker on Orchard Road at Route 71 in

Oswego at 10:40 a.m. April 2. Police said Harker was wanted on an in-state warrant and for driving on a suspended license.

He was taken to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Domestic arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jaeson Edward Scroggins, 37, of the 0-10 block of Cayman Drive, Boulder Hill, at his residence April 2 at 11:34 p.m. on a charge of domestic battery.

Theft, forgery reported A Boulder Hill resident filed a theft and forgery report with the county sheriff’s office March 31. The victim told police she did not know the identity of the culprit and did not wish to pursue charges at this time.

Cannabis arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Joseph Steven Dux, 20, of the 1700 block, of Mystic Drive, Plainfield, after stopping his vehicle for a speeding violation on Ridge Road at Black Road in Seward Township at 12:37 a.m. April 1 In addition to a citation for speeding, police said Dux has been charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two hurt, one cited County sheriff’s deputies reported that the drivers of two vehicles involved in a • Continued on page 12

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Traffic citations issued Jose Maldonado, 31, of the 1100 block of Jackson Street, Aurora, driving on a revoked license.

Robert Rule, 22, of the 400 block of Montgomery Road, driving on a suspended license.

Samuel Lara-Barrera, 37, of the 600 block of Main Street, Montgomery, driving on a suspended license.

Tinorris Sims, 30, of the 7000 block of Woodward Avenue,Woodridge, driving on a suspended license.

Solomon Davis, 18, of the 1000 block of Terrace Lake Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Joel Varela-Cepeda, 23, of the 600 block of Hinman Avenue, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Long Beach damage A vacant home in the 50th block of Long Beach Road in Boulder Hill was found damaged April 3, county sheriff’s police reported. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

ties responded to a burglary that occurred at a home in the 7700 block of Sherrill Road near Minooka on April 2. Police said unknown people entered the residence while the homeowners were away and stole various electronics, firearms, power tools and a silver 2012 Hyundai Elantra four-door.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

12

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

BRIEF

• Continued from page 11

Street in Oswego Township at 6:25 a.m. March 30, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Vargas was taken to Rush-Copley Medical crash on Fox River Drive and North Stonewall Center in Aurora, police said. Police said the driver Drive at 7:41 p.m. March 31 were injured and taken to an area hospital. Deputies identified the of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Michael drivers as Joseph Robinson, 24, of the 0-100 block R. Sagen, 57, of the 100 block of Dolores Street, Oswego, was issued a citation for making an of South Stolp Avenue, Aurora, and Tricia Lyn Hook, 27, of the 300 block of North Church Street, improper left turn.

Millington. Police said Robinson was cited for Hit-and-run reported improper lane usage.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run Cannabis arrest on Rt. 25 accident that occurred at Route 31 and Caterpillar County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jessica Lynn Drive in Montgomery at approximately 5:25 a.m.

Modesty Washington, 20, of the 600 block of March 29 Police said a dark-colored SUV struck Spencer Street, Aurora, after stopping her vehicle an Illinois Department of Transportation street for having only one headlight on Route 25 at Boul- sign in a median and continued northbound on der Hill Pass in Boulder Hill at 8:54 p.m. March 28. Route 31. Police said the sign is valued at $150.

Police said they found a small amount of cannabis inside Washington’s vehicle and she was charged Cuckoo clocks missing A Yorkville resident told county sheriff’s depwith unlawful possession of cannabis. uties March 30 that two cuckoo clocks she had Semitrailers burglarized sent out for repairs had not been returned to her.

Sheriff’s deputies are continuing their investiPolice said they are investigating. gation into the burglary of several semitrailers Warrant arrest parked at a business in the 5400 block of Route Sheriff’s deputies arrested Caleb Braden Ray, 27, 34 in Oswego on March 28. Miscellaneous of the 100 block of Long Beach Road, Boulder Hill, electronics items were taken from the trucks, at his residence March 30 on an in-state warrant police said. for failure to register as a sex offender.

One hurt, one cited Suspect fled but arrested Alverta Vargas, 43, of the 700 block of North Sheriff’s deputies took Adam W. Howard, 29, of Avenue, Aurora, a passenger in a vehicle driven by the 9400 block of Corneils Road, Bristol, into cusMartin F. Ugarte, 33, of the 400 block of Kendall Street, Aurora, was injured when Ugarte’s vehicle tody in an area behind his residence after he fled from an officer March 29 at 6:50 p.m. Police said was involved in a crash on Route 31 at Dolores

a deputy observed Howard sitting outside and knew he was wanted on a Kane County warrant for failure to appear on a resisting/obstructing charge. Howard was taken to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville.

Vehicle parts taken Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a burglary of motor vehicle parts and accessories that occurred in the 2300 block of Light Road in Oswego on March 29. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Traffic citations Kevin Deane Barnes, 56, 400 block of old Mill Road, Plano, driving on a suspended license.

George Otis Peterson, 60, of the 1000 block of East Union Street, Earlville, driving without a valid license.

Kendall Rashad Morrison, 20, of the 500 block of Alyssa Street, Plano, driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle without insurance and disobeying a traffic control device.

Matthew Aaron Taylor, 22, of the 20th block of Bereman Road, Boulder Hill, switching registration of vehicle without notifying Secretary of State, failure to complete information for the transfer of a vehicle title, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, no front license plate and no valid registration.

Kirby Kelvin L. Harris, 19, of the 3300 block of Silver City Court, Montgomery, driving without a valid license.

Margarita Rincon, 42, of the 2000 block of Best Place, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Eva Alessia, D.O., Nicole Keller, D.O., Jennifer Kurka, D.O., Paul Granoff, M.D.

Garden Club offers veggie gardening tips

Hilltop Gardeners invited Ed Max of Max’s Greener Places in Winfield to give advice on growing Heirloom vegetables.

The meeting will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street in Oswego.

Nonmembers are welcome to attend and there is no cost.

Max has more than 30 years of experience in landscaping, has a naturalist certification from Morton Arboretum and is an expert on Northern Illinois flora and native plants. The program, “Veggie Patch: Growing Heirloom Vegetables and Saving Seeds,” was developed from Max’s experimentation and vast experience in his own gardens and offers information and techniques for the best results in gardening.

For more information about the program or the garden club, call Diane at 630-5511970.

– Oswego Ledger

Rochelle Wilburn, M.D., OB/GYN

Keep Your Family Connected to Better Health Whether you’re expecting your first child or raising a busy family, you want a connection with your doctor— and Rush-Copley offers convenient options.

A talented OB/GYN, Dr.Wilburn specializes in women’s health and puts younger women and momsto-be at ease. With children of her own, pediatrician Dr.Alessia connects easily with little patients and their families, and Dr. Keller is a pediatrician who values instilling healthy habits at an early age. Pediatrician, Dr. Granoff offers a special expertise in attention deficit

disorders and childhood obesity, while adults and kids of all ages connect with Dr. Kurka, a family medicine physician, who helps families adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Plus, these doctors are connected to Rush-Copley, where you’ll find some of the region's finest specialists.

Be well connected. Visitrushcopleymedicalgroup.com for more information or call for a free meet-andgreet appointment.

Family Medicine and Pediatrics: 630-898-5969 Obstetrics and Gynecology: 630-978-4800

Services For Healthier Families

• Newborn to Adult Care • Prenatal Care • Annual Exams

• School and Sports Physicals • Immunizations • Wellness Screenings

4789 Route 71, Oswego adno=0372042

SPORTS FILE Oswego High School sophomore Allen Swanson placed second at the 20th annual IWCOA Freshman/Sophomore State Championship Series in Springfield on March 13. In the 32-man bracket, Swanson pinned his first opponent from Effingham in 2:53, and won his second match over Woodstock by a pinfall in 1:55. In the quarterfinals, he pinned Lincoln-Way Central in 4:55 and picked up a 6-2 decision over Rantoul in the semifinals. In the championship bout, he lost a 5-3 decision to Rochelle to place second overall.

Photo provided

• VOLLEYBALL

Continued from page 16

Oswego High School will host its eighth-grade athletic orientation night at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. Current eighth-graders interested in high school athletics for the 2016-17 school year are invited, with their parents, to come and meet the coaches.

Pick up valuable information about summer camps, find out starting dates for fall sports and online registration you will need before tryouts. Please enter at Door 35. The event will take place in the main gym.

– Oswego Ledger Oswego East’s head coach Brian Zerfas smiles during the team introduction before Tuesday’s Southwest Prairie Conference opener against Minooka.

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

13

Thursday, April 7, 2016

consecutive ace serves to help close out the win for the Indians.

“I’m impressed with what they showed tonight,” Zerfas said. “We tweaked the lineup and Max is going to be getting a lot more touches for us, and I think that makes us more dynamic. Max can bring a lot of energy.

We even talked about it in the timeout that we need to get him more involved because he’s really a spark for this team. The pieces are here to do some

good stuff, but we have to start applying it.”

Oswego East went 1-3 at West Aurora last Saturday. The Wolves opened with an 18-25, 19-25 loss to St. Charles North and fell to Mount Carmel 17-25, 18-25 before defeating Schaumburg 25-17, 25-17. Oswego East ended the day with a loss to Oswego, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25. Densberger had 20 kills and McClintic had 19 kills and six blocks on the day.

Last Thursday, Oswego East defeated Larkin 25-9, 25-8. Aurturo DeLaCruz had five aces while Densberger had 11 kills in the home opener.

Oswego to host eighth-grade Athletic Orientation Night

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego’s Allen Swanson takes second at IWCOA state

Oswego sophomore Allen Swanson is joined

by Oswego wrestling coach Andrew Cook (left) and his father, Jeremy Swanson, after placing second at the IWCOA frosh/soph state tournament on March 13 in Springfield.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

| SPORTS

14 PREP BASEBALL

Wolves can’t get edge in loss to Yorkville

By CHRISTINE BOLIN DASCHER cbolin@kendallcountynow.com

Despite Vince Schwartz and Garrett Goetz producing seven of the Oswego East baseball team’s 13 hits, it was not enough, as Yorkville posted the 7-6 victory over the Wolves in non-conference action last Thursday.

“We always know we are going to get a great effort out of Garrett and Vince,” Oswego East coach Matt Engelhardt said. “They are going to lead our team in hitting all year. We know they are going to be consistent in our lineup.”

Yorkville (5-3) led early and never trailed, even though Oswego East (23) was on the Foxes’ heels the entire game.

“I thought this was a good team win,” Yorkville coach Scott Luken said.

“We put some pressure on them early with our base running and forced them into some errors that gave us some early runs. I think that built some confidence for our guys. I was also pleased late in the game with the defense from our infielders.”

Yorkville’s three runs in the top of the first were all manufactured without an RBI. Oswego East responded with a run in the bottom of the inning via Schwartz’ RBI double that allowed Goetz to score after he led off with a double.

“The kids played with a lot of resilience after the first inning,” Engelhardt said. “That first inning was rough. We came out of the gates with a lack of focus. I thought we out-played them in the last six innings after spotting them too many runs there in the first.”

The Foxes pushed ahead 4-1 in the top of the third on an RBI single from Taylor Irons, only to see the Wolves threaten again with two runs in the bottom of the inning on Schwartz’ first

“We came out of the gates with a lack of focus. I thought we out-played them in the last six innings after spotting them too many runs there in the first.”

Matt Engelhardt

Oswego East baseball coach home run of the game. His two-run blast also scored Goetz, who hit his second of three doubles.

“It’s kind of been the story for us this season, getting down early in games,” Schwartz said. “We just have to keep fighting back, and I think we did a pretty good job of that today. We had chances, but we didn’t take advantage of them.”

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Foxes saw Jungr hit a two-run home run, which followed Cameron Van Boekel’s RBI double that sent Lucas Farren home. Yorkville led 7-3 going into the sixth inning.

Oswego East added two more runs in the sixth with RBI from Mason Madalinski and Jake Leonard before Schwartz hit another home run in the seventh. His solo shot led off the inning, but a double play from Yorkville and a ground out from the Wolves ended the game.

Naperville North 4, Oswego East 3:

In the 4-3 loss to Naperville North on Wednesday, Madalinski posted two RBIs while Jack Borvan went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Oswego East’s next games are against Metea Valley and Fenton.

The games against Metea Valley and Fenton were postponed due to the Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media weather. The Wolves are scheduled to start Southwest Prairie Confer- Oswego East baserunner Vince Schwartz celebrates a double by mimicking shooting an ence play this week against Plainfield arrow during a varsity baseball game between the Wolves and the Foxes at Oswego East High School on March 31.

South.

GIRLS SOCCER

Oswego East posts big win over Rosary; now 4-2

By CHRISTINE BOLIN DASCHER cbolin@kendallcountynow.com

The Oswego East girls soccer team posted its biggest win of the season so far on March 29, when the Wolves shut out Rosary, 8-0.

Junior midfielder Kara Blasingame scored three goals with one assist, both junior forward Taylor Peck and junior forward Jasmine Ruiz scored twice and had one assist and sophomore Riley Cassian scored once with two assists.

Junior Alexe Anderson and senior Ashley Binkowsky also posted an assist each while Reagan

Sanders posted one save in goal.

“The gain in confidence for the girls and to walk away with a shutout was nice,” Oswego East coach Hayley Morganegg said. “There was also a good mix of girls contributing to goals.”

Last Thursday, the Wolves opened Southwest Prairie Conference play with a 6-2 loss to Plainfield North. Oswego East received goals from junior Maddy Lambert and Ruiz with assists from Blasingame and Peck.

“We made Plainfield North look better than they are,” Morganegg said. “They have history of being the strongest team in our conference. This year, we

were hoping to give them a better run, but we did not.

“Playing Plainfield North is not something we hope to just get over, it is a game we set in our scope and try to bring more to every year.”

The Wolves are now 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference entering games against Plainfield South and rival Oswego.

“We are happy with what we have seen, but not satisfied. We have high expectations for our girls this year,” Morganegg said. “The cross-town game always brings out great emotions and heart. The girls are always up for that game – it’s in their blood.”

PREP ROUNDUP

OSWEGO LEDGER

The Oswego softball team picked up its first victory under coach Amanda Stanton with an 18-2 win over East Aurora last Thursday.

The Panthers scored eight runs in the first three innings to take the early lead, thanks to an RBI single from Allyson Miller and an RBI double from Rebecca Pieroni, who finished with three RBIs on the day.

Annie Scaramuzz pitched a one-hitter, allowing one earned run with three walks and seven strikeouts in three innings of work. and struck out seven during her three innings of work. Hannah Gentry recorded the win, allowing one run over two innings.

Oswego varsity: The Panthers (21-1) picked up a pair of 4-0 victories against West Chicago (on March 30) and Plainfield Central (on March 31).

Against West Chicago, the Panthers led 3-0 at the half. Kaylee Zimbleman scored the first two goals (assists from Brianna Welch and Melissa Kasper).

Erin Marchert scored Oswego’s third

loss to Naperville North. On March 29, Oswego East picked up a 24-4 win over East Aurora after a 16-run explosion in the third inning. Garett Fiduccia earned the win, and he also racked up four RBIs on a single, double and a deep home run over the left field fence for the Wolves. Daniel Rodriguez also had four RBIs. Last Thursday, Oswego East picked up a 9-5 win over Yorkville. Trent Hutten collected four hits on the day, along with four stolen bases.

Oswego freshman: On March 28, Oswego (6-0) defeated West Aurora 16-0, BASEBALL scoring 10 runs in the first inning. Matt Oswego varsity: The Panthers im- Sorrells was the winning pitcher and proved to 7-0 overall after the 3-0 vic- JD Miller was 3-for-4 on the day with tory against Morris on March 31. Joe a triple, three runs scored and three Fogarty’s two RBIs led Oswego in the RBIs. Oswego traveled to Lockport on bottom of the sixth, when it scored all March 29 and won 9-3. Ryan Prusak three runs. Carter Turnquist earned pitched 5 2/3 innings to get the victory, the win on the mound with six strike- striking out six. Jett Weaver drove in outs. two runs while Andrew Delphey had Oswego starts Southwest Prairie an RBI and two hits – a double and a Conference action with the three-game triple. series against Plainfield East and will BOYS VOLLEYBALL take on Yorkville on Friday.

Oswego East sophomore: The Wolves Oswego: The Oswego boys’ varsiscattered four hits on March 30 in a 10-2 ty team went 2-2 at the West Aurora

BOYS TENNIS

Blackhawk Invite on Saturday, winning its final two matches to improve to 4-3 on the season.

After two early losses to Joliet Central and Glenbard North, the Panthers rebounded with a 16-25, 25-20, 25-13 win over Wheeling. Nick Ramos and Jacob Bentz had 10 kills each and Ben Ruggles made 19 assists. Brandon Im made 18 digs.

In the final tournament game, Oswego defeated Oswego East 25-22, 22-25, 25-21. Bentz had 11 kills and three aces, Jerell Rogers had six blocks, Noah Anderson had 11 digs and Ruggles made 11 assists.

BADMINTON

Oswego, Oswego East: Both the Wolves and Panthers were at Plainfield North’s Doubles Invite on Saturday, and Oswego East went fourth (with 15 points) while Oswego tied for seventh with Romeoville and T.F. North (seven points each).

Metea Valley won with 19, followed

by Plainfield North (16) and Lincoln-Way North (15.5). The Wolves also improved to 3-0 in dual action with the 10-5 win against DeKalb on March 29.

BOYS TENNIS

Panthers on Parr with Oswego East lineup new coach, 7 returners strong top to bottom

By CHRISTINE BOLIN DASCHER cbolin@kendallcountynow.com

Ryan Parr inherits a talented Oswego squad in his first season as head coach of the boys’ tennis program.

Even though there were no state qualifiers in 2015, seven return from last year’s team that went 7-7 overall in dual meets and placed second overall at the Southwest Prairie Conference tournament.

Parr, who replaced Kevin Ranney, completed his first season as the girls’ tennis coach this past fall and was the boys’ JV coach for two years.

In both seasons, Oswego won the SPC title.

Although there is a lot of familiarity, Parr is still trying to perfect the lineup with his new team.

“I coached a lot of these guys at the JV level, which is awesome,” Parr said. “We’ll have to grind in the beginning and figure things out, but I think we will be able to pull out some wins that were close last year.”

Three returning players are projected to play in the top three spots in singles. Senior Ben Livingston is at No. 1, junior Andres Eckert at No. 2 and junior Connor Backus at No. 3.

Sophomore Max Blount, junior John Watson, junior Kyle Hennessy and new transfer Connor Stark will be competing at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, with No. 3 and No. 4 doubles still up in the air.

Senior Tyler Straube is also a listed returner, and the other newcomers are juniors Derek Ho and Adam Pflederer, sophomore Dylan Patel and freshman Connor Sutton.

“Everyone is always competing for spots,” Parr said.

Oswego’s first outing this season was a 5-1 loss to Glenbard South on March 22. The Panthers start SPC action at Plainfield Central on April 12.

An ideal situation for them is another top three finish in the conference.

“It’s going to be tough competition [in the conference], but we’ll be right there,” Parr said. “I think we’ll be more competitive than last year.”

By CHRISTINE BOLIN DASCHER cbolin@kendallcountynow.com

Over Scott Gengler’s 10 years the Oswego East boys’ tennis coach, he has never had a lineup as deep as the one he has this spring.

With one state-qualifying returner in Ryan Zaprzal, Gengler said his team from top to bottom looks strong, as 10 of his 13 players are seniors.

“These guys have that experience so we are expecting a lot of good things,” Gengler said. “We need to work to make sure we can fulfill those expectations.”

The Wolves expected two state-qualifying returners, but Zaprzal’s doubles partner, Mitch Perry, moved out of state. Zaprzal will most likely play at No. 1 singles, senior Giri Ekkurthi will be at No. 2 singles and senior Pranav Selvan at No. 3 singles. Senior Rohan Pisharody and sophomore Alex Hwang will move into the No. 1 doubles spot after being No. 2 last year and seniors Diego Martinez and Dylan Gerr go to No. 2 doubles.

Other returning players from the Oswego East team that went 9-3 in duals and 6-1 in Southwest Prairie Conference action in 2015 include seniors Harsha Dantuluri, Alex Salazar and Alec VanDeVoorde with newcomers Myles Wilcoxon and Colin Ritchie.

At the Wolves’ first outing of the season at Naperville Central’s March Madness Indoor Invite in the Doubles D division, Pisharody/Martinez posted a fourth-place finish while in the Doubles E division Alex Salazar/Ritchie went 1-1 and were the consolation champs.

There were no team scores.

After duals with Marmion and Lisle, Oswego East – which finished third at the Southwest Prairie Conference tournament last year – will start league play hosting Plainfield North on April 12. The battle against rival Oswego will take place on April 21.

“Every year, one of our goals is to win a conference championship,” Gengler said. “With all the experience coming back, we’ll be looking for that top spot.”

Thursday, April 7, 2016

GIRLS SOCCER

goal with 4:45 left in the first half. Riley Parker scored the Panthers’ lone goal in the second half. Megan Rasmussen was the goalie in the first half and finished with no saves while Madison Lockard took over in the second half with two saves.

Against Plainfield Central, the Panthers led 1-0 at the half. Goals were scored by Margaret Pagone (Welch assist), Zimbleman, Jordyn Schoen (Marchert assist) and Kasper (Parker assist). Rasmussen and Lockard each posted one save in goal.

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego knocks out 1st win with Stanton

15

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, April 7, 2016

16

SPORTS BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Looking for accountability Wolves drop Southwest Prairie Conference opener to Minooka

By KRISTIN SHARP

ksharp@kendallcountynow.com Oswego East volleyball coach Brian Zerfas was looking to see how his team would respond in Tuesday’s Southwest Prairie Conference opener after a disappointing showing at last weekend’s West Aurora Blackhawk Invite.

Despite a 25-23, 25-12 sweep by Minooka, Zerfas saw progress on the court.

“They showed a lot of growth from Saturday when it was a very poor showing, to today,” Zerfas said. “There’s changes happening. We got down 5-0, and our guys really have to learn how to support one another. We’ve got to hold each other more accountable on and off the court. Are they showing glimmers of that? Yes.” Oswego East (5-6) played point for point with Minooka in the opening set, taking advantage of eight service errors by the Indians, but could not capitalize after taking a 21-20 lead. Senior Max Behnke had a strong night for the Wolves securing a block and a successful attack to tie the game at 8, and senior Adam Densberger stepped up with two late points to tie the scoreboard at 20.

Junior Colin McClintic’s block went unanswered on the opposite side for a tie at 22, but a serving error gave Minooka a sideout, and the Indians capitalized with an ace and a hitting error by the Wolves to close out the set.

“Game 1 looked pretty ugly, especially serving errors,” Minooka coach Janel Grzetich said. “That’s horrible and the boys know it’s horrible. Hopefully it was just getting the nerves out and working out the kinks. It’s early in the season, so we can work on that now.”

Minooka (5-1) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in Game 2, but points from Densberger and Josh Schroeder helped chip away at the Indians’ lead. Behnke scored two consecutive points for Oswego East to cut Minooka’s lead 10-7, but the Indians pushed ahead to lead 15-9 before Zerfas called a timeout.

Densberger scored the last point for Oswego East for an 18-10 game and the Wolves’ final two points came on Minooka hitting errors. Minooka senior Brandon Baranski had three

See VOLLEYBALL, page 13

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

ABOVE: Oswego East’s Riley Bustard (left) and Adam Densberger (right) block a Minooka shot during Tuesday’s Southwest Prairie Conference opener. LEFT: Oswego East’s Arturo DeLaCruz digs out a serve in the match against Minooka. TOP: Oswego East’s Josh Schroeder (10) spikes the ball across the net away from the Minooka defenders.